Monolithic drain, tooling, and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A monolithic drain body including a base wall defining an outlet and a periphery, a side wall extending from the periphery of the base wall to produce an open end opposite the base wall, and a ledge formed into the side wall and extending inwardly therefrom to at least partially enclose a first volume between the ledge, the side wall, and the base wall.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a non-provisional of and claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/109,334, filed Nov. 3, 2020,which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a drain, and more specifically to adrain formed from a single piece of material.

BACKGROUND

Internal volumes where the open end is smaller than the diameter of thevolume itself are typically formed by preparing two or more separatepieces and welding the piece together to enclose the volume therein.Such manufacturing techniques result in welded seams that leave pocketsin crevices therein which can become contaminated by dirt, bacteria andthe like.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a drain including a base wall defining an outlet and aperiphery, a side wall extending from the periphery of the base wall toproduce an open end opposite the base wall, and a ledge formed into theside wall and extending inwardly therefrom to at least partially enclosea first volume between the ledge, the side wall, and the base wall.Where the ledge forms a neck having a first cross-sectional shape, wherethe first volume includes a second cross-sectional shape that is largerthan the first cross-sectional shape, and where the base wall, sidewall, and ledge are formed from a single piece of monolithic material.

In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a drain having a monolithicbody, the method including providing a die with a first exteriorsurface, forming a first monolithic piece of sheet material over thefirst exterior surface of the die to produce the monolithic body, wherethe monolithic body has an internal volume having a firstcross-sectional shape accessed via an aperture having a secondcross-sectional shape that is smaller than the first cross-sectionalshape, and removing the die from the internal volume via the aperture.

In another aspect, a die having an external surface configured to atleast partially form an internal volume, the die including a head unitdefining a die axis, where the head unit includes a first end and asecond end opposite the first end, a first die segment removably coupledto the head unit, where the first die at least partially forms theexternal surface, and where when the first die segment is coupled to thehead unit the resulting assembly produces an assembled cross-sectionalshape taken normal to the die axis and passing through the first diesegment, and wherein the first die segment can be completely detachedfrom the head unit without extending outside the assembledcross-sectional shape during the detachment process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art drain.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the prior art drain of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed side view of the prior art drain of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a drain having improved hygienic properties.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the drain of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detailed side view of the drain of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a body of the drain of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the body of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates multiple monolithic drain bodies.

FIG. 10 illustrates the drain of FIG. 4 with a circular top plateinstalled thereon.

FIG. 11 illustrates a die in a disassembled state.

FIG. 12 illustrates the die of FIG. 11 with two die segments installedon a head unit thereof.

FIG. 13 illustrates the die of FIG. 11 with three die segments installedon the head unit thereof.

FIG. 14 illustrates the die of FIG. 11 with five die segments installedon the head unit thereof.

FIG. 15 illustrates the die of FIG. 11 with all six die segmentsinstalled on the head unit thereof.

FIG. 16 illustrates the die of FIG. 11 with the end segment installed onthe head unit thereof.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the die of FIG. 11.

FIG. 18 is a section view of FIG. 16 taken along line 18-18.

FIG. 19 is the section view of FIG. 18 with a monolithic drain bodyformed thereon.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the dieincluding a die segment having parallel side walls.

FIG. 21 is a section view taken along the centerline of a structurehaving an internal volume.

FIG. 22 illustrates another embodiment of the drain having a sloped basewall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a prior art embodiment of a drain 5000. The drain5000 includes a multi-piece body 5002 defining an open end 5016 and anoutlet 5008, a top plate 5006 coupled (e.g., welded) to the multi-piecebody 5002 at the open end 5016, and a drain pipe 5010 coupled (e.g.,welded) to the multi-piece body 5002 at the outlet 5008.

The multi-piece body 5002 includes a base wall 5004 defining the outlet5008, and a side wall 5012 extending axially from the base wall 5004 toproduce an open end 5016 opposite the base wall 5004. The drain 5000also includes a ledge 5020 formed into and extending radially inwardlyfrom the side wall 5012 and positioned proximate the open end 5016. Theledge 5020 extends along the entire circumference of the side wall 5012to “neck down” the open end 5016 (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 1, the body 5002 is formed from multiple pieces ofsheet material welded together. More specifically, the body 5002includes a first piece of sheet material 5024 forming the base wall 5004and a portion of the side wall 5012 (e.g., forming a shallow dishshape), and a second piece of sheet material 5028 welded to the firstpiece of sheet material 5024 forming the side wall 5012 and the ledge5020. In the illustrated embodiment, the second piece of sheet material5028 of the drain 5000 is formed as an elongated flat piece that isformed into an annular shape by welding the two distal ends together(e.g., forming an axial weld 5030 along the height of the side wall5012). The resulting annular shape is then welded to the first piece ofsheet material 5024 producing a circumferential weld 5032 around theentire body 5002. The resulting multi-piece welded drain structure hashygienic deficiencies as both welded seams 5030, 5032 provide pocketsand crevices for contamination such as dirt, bacteria, gunk, and thelike to become lodged and fester. Such pockets and crevices are alsodifficult, and in some cases impossible, to clean properly

FIGS. 4-10 illustrate the monolithic drain 10 having improved hygienicproperties. The drain 10 has a monolithic body 12 defining an open end30 and an outlet 18, a top plate 16 coupled to the open end 30 of themonolithic body 12, and a drain pipe 20 coupled to the outlet 18 of themonolithic body 12.

The top plate 16 of the drain 10 is a substantially planar elementformed from a first piece of material separate from the monolithic body12. The top plate 16 at least partially defines an internal aperture 28sized to substantially correspond with the size and shape of the openend 30 of the monolithic body 12. As shown in FIG. 5, the exterior shapeof the plate 16 may be square, however in alternative embodiments, theexterior shape of the plate 16 may be rectangular, circular, elliptical,polygonal, or any other shape as needed (see FIG. 10). When assembled,the top plate 16 is fused (e.g., welded, soldered, brazed, and the like)to the open end 30 of the body 12 such that the internal aperture 28substantially aligns with and is open to the open end 30 of the body 12.In alternative embodiments, the top plate 16 may be mechanicallyfastened to the body 12 by brackets, fasteners, press-fit, and the like(not shown).

The drain pipe 20 of the drain 10 is a substantially cylindrical elementat least partially defining a channel 36 therethrough. The drain pipe 20is formed from a second piece of material separate from the monolithicbody 12. When assembled, the drain pipe 20 is fused (e.g., welded,soldered, brazed, and the like) to the base wall 14 (described below) ofthe body 12 so that the channel 36 is substantially aligned with theoutlet aperture 18 and open to the interior volume 40. In alternativeembodiments, the drain pipe 20 may be mechanically fastened to the body12 by brackets, fasteners, gaskets, press-fit, and the like (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 4-10, the monolithic body 12 of the drain 10 defines abody axis 16. The body 12 also includes a base wall 14 defining theoutlet 18 and having an outer periphery, and a side wall 26 extendingfrom the outer periphery of the base wall 14 to produce an open end 30opposite the base wall 14 (see FIG. 5). The size and shape of the sidewall 26 also produces a first cross-sectional shape having a firstrepresentative dimension 32 (see FIG. 5). For the purposes of thisapplication, the representative dimension of a cross-sectional shape mayinclude any dimension that generally establishes the size of thecross-sectional shape. For example, a diameter may be a representativedimension for a circle, a diagonal may be a representative dimension fora square or rectangle, a diagonal may be a representative dimension fora polygon, and the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base wall 14 has a circular outerperiphery and the side wall 26 extends axially therefrom to produce asubstantially cylindrical shape whereby the first cross-sectional shape,taken normal to the axis 16, is circular and the first representativedimension 32 is a first diameter. However, in alternative embodiments,the periphery of the base wall 14 and the side wall 26 may havealternative cross-sectional shapes such as, but not limited to, square,rectangular, polygonal, and the like. In instances where alternativecross-sectional shapes are present, the side wall 26 may include aplurality of interconnected wall segments or portions (not shown) toproduce the desired cross-sectional shape (e.g., four wall segments toproduce a square cross-sectional shape, and the like).

The drain 10 also includes a ledge 34 formed into the side wall 26 andextending inwardly therefrom between the base wall 14 and the open end30 to produce an interior opening or neck 42. The ledge 34 serves to atleast partially enclose an interior volume 40 within the body 12 betweenthe ledge 34, the side wall 26, and the base wall 14 while the neck 42defines an aperture through which the volume 40 may be accessed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the neck 42 produces a second cross-sectional shapethat is smaller than the first cross-sectional shape of the interiorvolume 40 and includes a second representative dimension 38 that is lessthan the first representative dimension 32 of the interior volume 40(e.g., the second cross-sectional area of the neck 42 is less than thefirst cross-sectional area of the volume 40 enclosed by the ledge 34,side wall 26, and base wall 14 when both cross-sections are takenperpendicular to the axis 16). As such, the ledge 34 serves to “neckdown” the open end 30 of the body 12 and provide an upper surface 44upon which a strainer, basket, or other elements may be supported whenpositioned within the drain 10. The ledge 34 is also positionedproximate the open end 30 of the body 12. In the illustrated embodiment,the neck 42 has a circular cross-sectional shape (e.g., the secondcross-sectional shape is a circle) having a second representativedimension 38 that includes a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter of the side wall 26. However, in alternative embodiments,different internal cross-sectional shapes may be formed. In still otherembodiments, the shape of the first cross-sectional shape may bedifferent than the second cross-sectional shape.

Together, the ledge 34, side wall 26, and base wall 14 at leastpartially enclose the interior drain volume 40 therein. In theillustrated embodiment, the resulting drain volume 40 produces at leastone cross-sectional dimension that is larger than the smallestcross-sectional dimension of the neck 42.

In the illustrated embodiment, the body 12 is monolithic, such that itis formed from a single piece of continuous material without joints orseams. More specifically, the illustrated body 12 itself does notinclude any welds or seams (e.g., between the base wall 14, the sidewall 26, and the ledge 34). The only seams present in the drain 10include the connection interfaces between the body 12 and the drain pipe20 and the body 12 and the top plate 16. By eliminating any joints orseams within the body 12 itself, the body 12 of the drain 10 does notinclude any pockets or crevices where bacteria and/or other contaminatesmay be captured or trapped—producing a more hygienic structure overall.

FIGS. 11-19 illustrate a die 100 used to manufacture the monolithic body12 of the drain 10. Generally speaking, the die 100 is configured sothat the die 100 can be positioned within and form a structure 800 withan internal volume 804 having a first cross-sectional shape producing afirst representative dimension 808 that is accessible via an opening oraperture 816 having a second cross-sectional shape that is smaller thanthe first cross-sectional shape and producing a second representativedimension 820 that is smaller than the first representative dimension808. More specifically, after the internal volume 804 of the structureis formed by shaping the single piece of material about the die 100, thedie 100 is configured to be subsequently removed from the resultinginternal volume 804, in a first removal direction 812, through theaperture 816 (see FIG. 21). Stated differently, the die 100 isconfigured to produce an internal volume 804 that is larger than theaperture 816 through which the die 100 itself can be removed from thevolume 804. As shown in FIG. 21, the relevant cross-sections aregenerally taken normal to the direction of removal 812.

As shown in FIGS. 11-19, the die 100 includes a head unit or base 104,and a plurality of die segments 108 a, b each removably coupled to thehead unit 104. Together, the combined exterior surfaces of the base 104and die segments 108 a, b define the size and shape of the interiorsurfaces 60 of the monolithic body 12 (e.g., the surfaces 60 of the body12 at least partially defining the drain volume 40). Furthermore, thedie 100 is configured so that a sub-portion of the die 100 (e.g., thehead unit 104) can be individually removed from the drain volume 40 viathe open end 30 whereby the remaining elements (e.g., the die segments108 a, b) can be removed individually afterwards.

As shown in FIG. 18, the head unit 104 of the die 100 includes asubstantially cylindrical body 110 defining an axis 114 therethrough.More specifically, the body 110 includes a first portion 118 producing afirst outer diameter 122, a second portion 126 extending axially fromthe first portion 118 to produce a second outer diameter 130 less thanthe first outer diameter 122, and a third portion 134 extending axiallyfrom the second portion 126 opposite the first portion 118 to produce athird outer diameter 138 less than the second outer diameter 130, and afourth portion 140 extending axially from the third portion 134 toproduce a fourth outer diameter 144 that is less than the third outerdiameter 138 and a distal end 148.

The body 110 also defines a first groove or aperture 142 at theinterface of the first and second portions 118, 126, and a second grooveor aperture 146 at the interface of the second and third portions 126,134. As shown in FIG. 18, both the first groove 142 and the secondgroove 146 are open axially toward the distal end 148 of the head unit104. While the illustrated first and second grooves 142, 146 are annularin shape and extend continuously along the entire periphery of the headunit 104, it is understood that in alternative embodiments the firstgroove 142 and/or second groove 146 may include a plurality ofindividual apertures or segments spaced along the periphery of the headunit 104.

The head unit 104 also includes one or more torque pins 166 extendingaxially from the body 110 and configured to selectively engage with acorresponding one of the die segments 108 a, b and transmit torquetherebetween. More specifically, the torque pins 166 are configured torotationally fix the die segments 108 a, b relative to the body 110. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the head unit 104 includes a first torquepin 166 extending axially from the second portion 126 of the body 110and configured to selectively engage with a corresponding radial segment108 a (discussed below), and a second torque pin 166 extending axiallyfrom the fourth portion 140 of the body 110 and configured toselectively engage with and end segment 108 b (discussed below).

As shown in FIG. 18, the die 100 also includes a plurality of diesegments 108 a, b that are each removably couplable to the head unit104. More specifically, each die segment 108 a, b is attached to thehead unit 104 such that it can be detached from the head unit 104without increasing the external dimensions of the die 100 perpendicularto the direction of removal 106. Stated differently, the fully assembleddie 100 (e.g., with all die segments 108 a, b attached to the head unit104) produces an assembled cross-sectional shape taken normal to theaxis 16 and passing through the die segments 108 a. Each die segment 108a, b is configured so that it can be completely detached from the headunit 104 without having any of the die segments 108 a, b extend outsidethe assembled cross-sectional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, eachdie segment 108 a, b is attached to the head unit 104 so that each canbe removed axially from the head unit 104. More specifically, the diesegments 108 a, b are configured so that the head unit 104 cansimultaneously detach from all of the die segments 108 a,b in adirection of removal 106.

In the illustrated embodiment, the die 100 includes one or more radialsegments 108 a and at least one end segment 108 b. Together, theexterior surfaces of the segments 108 a, b at least partially define thecontour of the ledge 34, the side wall 26, and the base wall 14 (seeFIG. 0.19). More specifically, the segments 108 a, b determine the sizeand shape of the base wall 14, the bottom and interior surfaces 48, 52of the ledge 34, and the portion 56 of the side wall 26 located axiallybetween the bottom surface 48 of the ledge 34 and the base wall 14.

Each radial segment 108 a of the die 100 includes an arcuate body 150with an arcuate outer surface 154. Each radial segment 108 a alsoincludes first protrusion 170 extending axially from a first end of thearcuate body 150 and a locking member 158 extending from the innersurface 162 of arcuate body 150. As shown in FIG. 18, the outer surface154 of each radial segment 108 a contributes to the overall size andshape of the body 12 of the drain 10 (see FIG. 19).

The first protrusion 170 of each radial segment 108 a is sized andshaped to be at least partially received within the first groove 142 ofthe head unit 104. More specifically, the first protrusion 170 is sizedand shaped so that it can be axially inserted into the first groove 142whereby the interaction between the groove 142 and the protrusion 170will restrict any radial movement between the segment 108 a and the headunit 104.

The locking member 158 of the radial segment 108 a is substantially “L”shaped having a radial leg 174 and an axial leg 178. The legs 174, 178are sized and shaped so that the axial leg 178 may be at least partiallyinserted into and removed from the second groove 146. More specifically,the locking member 158 is sized and shaped so that it can be axiallyinserted into the second groove 148 whereby the interaction between thegroove 148 and the locking member 158 will restrict any radial movementbetween the segment 108 a and the head unit 104.

As shown in FIG. 15, the illustrated die 100 includes a plurality ofradial segments 108 a that, together, form a toroidal shape extending acomplete 360 degrees around the head unit 104. More specifically, theexterior surfaces 154 of the radial segments 108 a interact with eachother to form a substantially smooth cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG.15, the die 100 includes five radial segments 108 a where the angularwidth of each radial segment 108 a is different. However, in alternativeembodiments, more or fewer segments 108 a may be used with different orsimilar angular widths as needed to complete the entire 360 degreestructure. In one alternative embodiment, at least one of the radialsegments 108 a′ may include parallel side walls in place of a wedgeshape so that the piece can be more easily removed after the head unit104 has been removed (see FIG. 20).

At least one of the radial segments 108 a defines an aperture 182 formedinto the locking member 158 and configured to at least partially receivea portion of the first torque pin 166 therein. More specifically, whenaxially attaching the radial segment 108 a to the head unit 104, thetorque pin 166 is axially aligned with and received within the apertureso that the corresponding radial segment 108 a and head unit 104 arerotationally fixed. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial segment108 a with the smallest angular width includes the aperture 182.Furthermore, while the illustrated torque pins 166 are included in thehead unit 104, in alternative embodiments the segments 108 a may includethe pins 166 while the head unit 104 defines the aperture 182.

While the illustrated embodiment shows the plurality of five radialsegments 108 a producing a substantially cylindrical outer surfaceextending 360 degrees about the head unit 104 (e.g., the assembledcross-sectional shape is a circle), it is understood that in alternativeembodiments the plurality of radial segments 108 a may be coupled to ahead unit 104 to produce other exterior shapes such as square,rectangular, polygonal, elliptical, and the like. In such embodiments,the radial segments 108 a may still extend along and enclose the entireassembled cross-sectional shape.

As shown in FIGS. 18, 19, and 16, the end segment 108 b is substantiallydisk shaped having a body with an exterior periphery 186 thatsubstantially corresponds with and aligns with the radial segments 108 aof the die 100. During use, the end segment 108 b includes a firstportion 190 that is configured to at least partially form the base wall14 of the body 12, and a second portion 194 that is configured to atleast partially form the outlet 18 of the body 12. In some embodiments,the end segment 108 b may be interchangeable such that different sizedand located outlets 18 may be formed (not shown).

The end segment 108 b also includes an aperture 200 configured to atleast partially receive a portion of the second torque pin 166 therein.As discussed above, the torque pin 166 is configured to rotationallylock the end segment 108 b to the head unit 104 such that the twoelements rotate together as a unit.

While the illustrated end segment 108 b is disk-shaped, it is understoodthat the exterior size and shape of the end segment 108 b may be changedto adapt to the correspond with and align to the radial segments 108 aof the die 100.

To manufacture the monolithic body 12 of the drain 10, the user firstassembles the die 100. To do so, each of the individual radial segments108 a are coupled to the head unit 104 by axially inserting the firstprotrusion 170 and locking members 258 into the first and second grooves142,146, respectively (see FIGS. 11-15). The radial segments 108 a aretypically inserted from largest to smallest but any order can suffice.While assembling the radial segments 108 a to the head unit 104, theuser takes care to align at least one of the radial segments 108 a suchthat the corresponding torque pin 166 is received within itscorresponding aperture 182. Since each of the assembled radial segments108 a are in contact with each other to form the finished structure,only one of the segments 108 a need be secured with a torque pin 166 toallow the entire assembly to remain rotational fixed relative to thehead unit 104.

With the radial segments 108 a in place, the user may then axiallyintroduce the end segment 108 b onto the distal end of the head unit 104(see FIG. 16). As discussed above, the end segment 108 b encloses thedistal end of the head unit 104 such that the exterior surfaces of theradial and end segments 108 a, 108 b produce a substantially continuous“cup” shape.

With the die 100 prepared, the user then forms a piece of sheet material(e.g., a piece of stainless steel sheet material, aluminum sheetmaterial, steel sheet material, and the like) onto the assembledexterior surface of the die 100 (e.g., the exterior surface defined bythe end segment 108 b, the radial segments 108 a, and the exteriorexposed portions of the head unit 104). In the illustrated embodiment,this is done using a “metal spinning” process whereby the raw material(e.g., a planar disk of sheet material) and die 100 are spun togetherand the sheet material is formed against the exterior surface of the dieusing tools so that the sheet material takes on the contour of theexterior surface of the die 100. Such forming produces the base wall 14,outlet 18, side wall 26, and ledge 34. In alternative embodiments, otherforms of material shaping could be used. For example, in someembodiments a separate external die may be paired with the illustrateddie 100 for a pressing action. In still other embodiments other forms ofshaping may be used to form the sheet material against the exteriorsurface of the die 100.

With the monolithic body 12 of the drain 10 formed, the user thenaxially removes the head unit 104 from the volume 40. More specifically,the head unit 104 is axially retracted from the volume 40 via the openend 30 in the removal direction 106 whereby the radial and end segments108 a, 108 b remain within the formed volume 40. More specifically, theprocess of removing the head unit 104 causes each of the radial and endsegments 108 a, 108 b to simultaneously detach from the head unit 104allowing the head unit 104 to be removed from the neck 42 of the ledge34.

With the head unit 104 removed, the radial segments 108 a may then beremoved through the aperture or neck 42 one at a time. Generallyspeaking, this is typically starting with the smallest segment and thenremoving any increasingly larger segments 108 a in due course but anyorder may be used. With the radial segments 108 removed from the volume40, the end segment 108 b may then be removed last leaving the finishedbody 12.

In some embodiments, the finished body 12 may then be further assembledby welding or otherwise coupling the top plate 16 and drain pipe 20 tothe body 12 in the appropriate locations.

FIG. 22 illustrates another embodiment of the drain 10′. The drain 10′is substantially similar to the drain 10 so only the differences will bediscussed herein. More specifically, the body 12′ of the drain 10′includes a base wall 14′ that that is substantially frusto-conical inshape such that the base wall 14′ is oblique to the axis 16′ of thedrain 10′ to encourage better drainage by directing any fluids containedwithin the volume 40′ into the drain pipe 20′ attached to the outlet18′.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the inventionas described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drain comprising: a base wall defining anoutlet and a periphery; a side wall extending from the periphery of thebase wall to define an open end opposite the base wall; and a ledgeformed into the side wall and extending inwardly therefrom to at leastpartially enclose a first volume between the ledge, the side wall, andthe base wall, wherein the ledge forms a neck having a firstcross-sectional shape, wherein the first volume includes a secondcross-sectional shape that is larger than the first cross-sectionalshape, and wherein the base wall, side wall, and ledge are formed from amonolithic material.
 2. The drain of claim 1, wherein the monolithicmaterial is a piece of sheet material.
 3. The drain of claim 1, whereinthe monolithic material is formed using a metal spinning technique. 4.The drain of claim 1, wherein the drain further comprises a drain pipecoupled to the outlet and in fluid communication with the first volume,wherein the drain pipe is formed from a second piece of materialdifferent than the monolithic material.
 5. The drain of claim 1, whereinthe drain further includes a top plate coupled to the open end of theside wall, wherein the top plate is formed from a second piece ofmaterial different than the monolithic material.
 6. The drain of claim1, wherein the drain defines a drain axis, and wherein at least aportion of the base wall is oblique to the drain axis.
 7. The drain ofclaim 1, wherein the drain defines a drain axis, wherein the base wallhas a circular periphery, and wherein the side wall extends axially fromthe periphery of the base wall.
 8. The drain of claim 1, wherein theledge extends inwardly from the side wall along the entire circumferenceof the side wall.
 9. The drain of claim 1, wherein the firstcross-sectional shape is a circle having a first diameter, and whereinthe second cross-sectional shape is a circle having a second diametergreater than the first diameter.
 10. A method of manufacturing a drainhaving a monolithic body, the method comprising: providing a die with afirst exterior surface; forming a first monolithic piece of sheetmaterial over the first exterior surface of the die to produce themonolithic body, wherein the monolithic body has an internal volumehaving a first cross-sectional shape accessed via an aperture having asecond cross-sectional shape that is smaller than the firstcross-sectional shape; and removing the die from the internal volume viathe aperture.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the die includes ahead unit and at least one die segment removably attached to the headunit, and wherein the head unit and at least one die segment togetherform the first exterior surface.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinremoving the die from the internal volume includes removing the headunit from the internal volume via the aperture and subsequently removingthe at least one die segment from the internal volume via the aperture.13. The method of claim 11, wherein the die segment is one of aplurality of die segments, and wherein the plurality of die segmentstogether form the first cross-sectional shape.
 14. The method of claim10, further comprising forming the first monolithic piece of sheetmaterial over the first exterior surface using a metal spinning process.15. The method of claim 10, wherein the first cross-sectional shapeincludes a circle having a first diameter, and wherein the secondcross-sectional shape includes a circle having a second diameter smallerthan the first diameter.
 16. The method of claim 10, further comprisingcoupling a top plate formed from a second piece of material to themonolithic body.
 17. The method of claim 10, further comprising couplinga drain pipe formed from a second piece of material to the monolithicbody.
 18. A die having an external surface configured to at leastpartially form an internal volume, the die comprising: a head unitdefining a die axis, wherein the head unit includes a first end and asecond end opposite the first end; a first die segment removably coupledto the head unit, wherein the first die at least partially forms theexternal surface; and wherein when the first die segment is coupled tothe head unit the resulting assembly produces an assembledcross-sectional shape taken normal to the die axis and passing throughthe first die segment, and wherein the first die segment can becompletely detached from the head unit without extending outside theassembled cross-sectional shape during the detachment process.
 19. Thedie of claim 18, wherein the head unit defines a first aperture that isopen axially toward the second end, and wherein the first die segmentincludes a first protrusion configured to be at least partially receivedwithin the first aperture.
 20. The die of claim 18, wherein the firstdie segment is one of a plurality of die segments, and wherein when eachof the plurality of die segments are attached to the head unit theplurality of die segments completely extend along and enclose theassembled cross-sectional shape.